thank you, lord.

thank You Lord, for the gift of worship.

thank You, Lord, for allowing me to serve You in this way.

thank You, Lord, for giving me the gift of song, melody, and alike. thank YOU.

happy second birthday, bear!

this little lady turns two today!

isn't she precious? Addy girl, I love you so much! You're so sweet, even when you don't want to have anything to do with me. I'm sad knowing I'll only get to be in your life a little bit, because of our gap..but I know you have plenty of people to influence you in a good way. I love you, little bear!

facebook page!

I officially have a facebook page for my blog! head on over and like it up! :)

quick hello.

home ♥

just wanted to share this gem with you while I stop by for a minute...I'm headed to bed now after a full day spent with the junior high youth group...fun fun. being a leader is such a blessing. anyway. I'll letcha' all in on our adventure sometime tomorrow....I have to be at the church at 7:30 for music stuff...and teach sunday school...so. I need sleep. xoxoxo.

Now offering sponsor spots!

So, folks. Here's the deal. I've decided I really want to spend the time to dedicate myself to this blog...more than just telling you about myself. I have started writing down post ideas, DIY's, recipes, and other things that I can post. 

Annnnyway. Part of this means that I'm going to offer actual paid sponsorship, in which YOU can grow your blog too. 

I've also decided to donate $1 from every ad purchased to The Water Project, an organization dedicated to bringing clean water to the places that don't have any. 

Sooooo...if you want to get in on this ad-stuff, head on over to my sponsor page for all the details. ANNNND. I have an even more special surprise for you! Use the promo code "FIRSTGO" at checkout, and you'll get 30% off of normal ad price...this month only, for those of you diving into this endeavor with me :) 

Let me know if you have any questions! Have a wonderful day!

since last week...

I got my license! WHOO! (stolen from mom's IG, pardon the cheesy grin...)

I spent the rest of that day enjoying the life I've been blessed with...this kind of stuff is my office, all the time. Nannying is the best ever.

I discovered the amazing app "PicFX"...seriously, it's great. I did this picture of my youth pastor with it.

I spent my Saturday in the greatest home ever, nannying yet again. We sat on a mustard yellow couch, sunk our feet into the awesome orange shag carpet, explored the millions of closets and nooks, and read Curious George books for an hour. 

I had a picnic with this cutie...berries and salami in the cool, wonderful, outdoors.

and I spent the afternoon today hiking with this one...oh. Rachel...seriously, y'all, she hates hiking. I can't believe I got her to do it!

and we made it! I can't tell you how much I love where we live...This is my backyard. No lie. If I turned to the right from where I was standing while taking this, I could have walked to my house in 20 minutes. Blessed beyond belief! 

feedback needed...help!

 

good morning, or afternoon for some of you!

I am trying to get some feedback on this. I mentioned the other day that I want to start an Etsy shop. I'm thinking of filling it with things like this - hand painted canvas cell phone clutches, along with hand painted canvas iPad cases, tote bags, makeup bags, and more. I need you opinion though - would you  buy one of those items? Do you know other people who would? I want to hear whatever you have to say - tell me!

mirror, mirror

I took this picture on monday, while the skies were overcast and the lighting was just right.

I really like how it turned out....the mirror and all that. wish I could have not gotten the house in the background, but oh well.

do you ever feel like you're constantly looking inside or at yourself, trying to figure out who you are? what you're doing? what you want to be?

I'm starting my senior year soon. and I'm terrified...not of the school year itself...but after. What on earth am I going to do with my life? I know the Lord will guide me and bless my path as long as I follow Him...but I'm still scared of the unknown. 

But...I do know that the next few years are going to be huge. I know that God's going to do big things. I know that I'm going to be used...and I know I'm going to be loved, forever, by Him, no matter what.

could use some prayer today.

hello, friends. 

today I'm being faced with a very big mountain. one I don't want to climb. one I don't want to face.

I have to do something I don't want to do, and possibly hurt someone in the process. Could you please pray for me today, as I embark upon this task?

thank you, sweet friends.

all my love,

Ruthanne

autumn && friendship.

liz, becca, me, rachel. october 2010.

excuse my horrible skinny jeans and plaid, but lets be honest...this picture is great. 

two of my favorite people in the world. james and I have known each other for 12 years, been close friends for 10 of them.

friends since ever, basically.

so maybe this wasn't fall...but whatever.

taylor's benefit (the whole community came together to raise money for her expenses. if you haven't read taylor's story, you can do so here)

becca, amy, me. two years ago.

I've been blessed with some awesome friends. seriously. and we always seem to have the best memories in the fall. 6 weeks of amazing times, wonderful company, and so many smiles. I know fall is still a ways away, but I was looking through these pictures on facebook, and couldn't help but smile, knowing it's coming again. it'll be different, like it is every year, but it'll be great, too. we have new friends who've opted to join in on the madness.

that time a chipmunk died in my dryer vent.

yes, the title is for real and it's true. a chipmunk died in my dryer vent. ew, right? yeah. thought so. 

anyway. the story of how my mom and I got it out is classic. almost makes up for the fact that a chipmunk DIED in my dryer vent...not really. obviously the poor guy was short a few nuts...(laugh, please, and validate my punny-ness)

so. we go camping for 10 days, right? and it's great and yada yada yada. I left a couple pairs of jeans and some other darks in my dryer - they were dry, but I just didnt' put them away before we left. well, anywhoo. I get back, and go to put them all away...and I'm greeted with the most disgusting smell of my life. Oh my gosh, guys. Like seriously.

I tell my mom..."mom...something died in my dryer vent." and we both don't doubt it. a few days pass, and then yesterday rolls around....we decide I can't avoid my laundry room anymore, because I kind of need it to survive..so we pull my dryer out...and both look at the vent...I pull it off, and whip out my flashlight.."do you think it'll be a chipmunk?" mom shrugs....mom and I squat down on either side of the dryer...and peer into the vent...and then this happens...

"...*squeal* yep...!" 

simultaneously. ugh. a freakin dead chipmunk. literally guys, probably one of the grossest things mom or I have ever had to partake in. yuuuuck.

also, when I came home on saturday, I found a dead mouse under my desk, thanks to my precious, sweet little kitty....meh. my room is officially cuuuuuursed. seriously.

when inspiration strikes.

pink && lace

I'm obsessed with this top right now. Sooo cute. No idea where it came from, though, it was in a bag of clothes my aunt gave me! anyway. today was pretty good. got some school done - trying to get back into the swing of things a little early. I'm hoping to be done with senior year by January...graduate six months early..how cool would that be? Gah. Pray for me! haha. 

Anyway. this is what else I've been up to today..

I put this cute little cell phone clutch together...inspired from something I saw on pinterest. I have a lot of refining to do, but I think it's a good start. I've decided I need to do something with my creativity besides fill my life with millions of projects to keep for myself...so I'm thinking of starting an Etsy shop. I dunno, we'll see...but I have a lot I could make and sell.

Theeeeen....while I was rummaging through my boxes looking for the box of lace, I spotted vintage polka dot bias tape I scored a few weekends ago...and then came the light bulb. this was the result:

cutest hair bow I've ever made, I think. Mm..I love it so much. totally wearing it tomorrow, too. hehe.

what inspired you today?

camping via instagram

off we go! I got to drive - yes!

out to lunch.

sister at sunset.

no parking.

parents :)

point cabrillo lighthouse.

little details. 

point cabrillo. I love white picket fences.

dinner. mmm. I ate three...hehe. as fresh as it comes. 

camping cutie.

toes.

boots ♥

sisters.

cuddles.

 I have so many more to edit that weren't on my phone/instagram. Eep. these are just a few :) the rest will be up soon! xoxo!

home at last :)

Hello, hello blog world! AHH! I'm finally HOME! You have no idea how excited I am! Mom and the girls and I decided to leave the trip a day early to get home yesterday evening...so wonderful. I'm working on getting things back in order for y'all....posts and diys and how to's! Pictures of my trip are to come - but how was your week? I'd love to know! Link a post in the comments and I'll come stop by and say hey! 

xoxo,

Ruthanne